All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
Another lunar year has passed with all its ups and downs and a new one is about to begin, and this is Allah`s Way in this universe. He, The Almighty, Said (What means): "Such days (of varying fortunes) We give to men and men by turns…" [Al-Imran/140].
Whenever Muslims begin a new year, they remember the journey that the Prophet (PBUH) had undertaken and introduced Muslims into the history of humanity. It is his blessed migration or journey from Mecca to Yathrib, later renamed by him to Medina, that took its light from his (PBUH) and from there the ray of the light of guidance illuminated the whole universe which was living in sheer darkness.
It is true that Yathrib was living in darkness, but once the Prophet (PBUH) arrived, it over shined. To the people of that city, his face was more beautiful than a full moon in a dark night, so they sang the welcoming song "Tala Al Badru Alyna". The light of Islam has emerged with his arrival and will continue to spread by the blessings of Allah, The Almighty, Who Said (What means): "Their intention is to extinguish God’s Light (by blowing) with their mouths: But God will complete (the revelation of) His Light, even though the Unbelievers may detest (it)." [As-Saf/8].
Hijrah was a turning point in the history of Islamic Dawa (Calling/Inviting people to Islam) and the Arab Nation. Not only that, it was also a turning point in the history of all humankind that was experiencing darkness, persecution, classism, in addition to moral and financial corruption. Humanity was looking for a way out of this dilemma. When Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) arrived, he freed people from slavery. They have become slaves only to their creator. They started working and became more productive. They moved from illiteracy to literacy. His achievements during the few years that he had spent in Medina were outweighed thousands of years in the lives of other nations. In those years, Islam was put to the test; it proved that religion isn`t about words or slogans. Rather, it is about reviving humanity and building the universe.
This Hijrah led to the establishment of an Islamic state whose accomplishments gained the respect of other nations; even enemies. One enemy once said: "History hasn`t experienced a conqueror who is more merciful than the Muslim Arabs." Muslims are the holders of a Universal Message; a message of love and mercy to all humanity; as reflected in the following verse, whereas it states (What means): "We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures." [Al-Anbiya/107].
Our mentor and role model is Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) who had never avenged himself on anyone. Since he cared for all his people. He prayed that Allah guides and forgives them. Upon his return to Mecca, he said, indicating how valuable homeland is: "You are the closest land to my heart. Hadn`t your people driven me out, I wouldn`t have left." During his stay in Medina, he kept longing to Mecca. He kept imagining its hills and mountains. He remained in this state until Allah, The Exalted, blessed him with conquering it.
Despite being persecuted along with his companions at the hands of the disbelievers of Mecca, despite being fought in Badr and Uhud and despite them (disbelievers) having broken their vows and covenants, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) forgave them, because he was a conqueror of hearts; not fortresses, minds; not bodies. He proved to be the Messenger of love and mercy. He said to them "You are free to go."
Given the different tragedies that our world is witnessing, we are in dire need to apply the teachings of our role model Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) for it is only through love and mercy that we can open hearts and minds.
Nowadays, the Muslim nation is experiencing moments of weakness similar to those, which the Prophet (PBUH) and his companions had in Mecca. However, this didn`t break them; despair couldn`t infiltrate into their hearts or souls, because they had trust in Allah. They had deep conviction that after hardship comes ease. In fact, exercising patience during trial is an act of worship for which a Muslim is rewarded. Also, doing one`s best to facilitate for that ease to come is, in itself, an act of worship. Abu Hurairah (May Allah Be Pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "If anyone relieves a Muslim believer from one of the hardships of this worldly life, Allah will relieve him of one of the hardships of the Day of Resurrection….." [Moslim].
A true believer is one who combines action with hope, and never gives up on God`s mercy. Allah, The Almighty, Said (What means): "God has promised, to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds, that He will, of a surety, grant them in the land, inheritance (of power), as He granted it to those before them; that He will establish in authority their religion - the one which He has chosen for them; and that He will change (their state), after the fear in which they (lived), to one of security and peace: ’They will worship Me (alone) and not associate aught with Me. ’If any do reject Faith after this, they are rebellious and wicked." [An-Nur/55].
Allah and His apostle have spoken the truth; yes, we have to do our best and hope that Allah blesses us with success. Undoubtedly, Allah will never fail a nation whose Messenger is Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). We pray that the Prophet (PBUH) intercedes for us with Allah, the Almighty, at the Day of Judgment. We pray that He, the Exalted, spares us all afflictions and showers us with peace and stability, and makes us amongst those who will join the Prophet (PBUH) on the Day of Resurrection. And all perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds.